A former Wellmont Health System executive returns to lead the regional nonprofit organization through the remainder of its search to find a merger.

According to a Monday statement from Wellmont, former CEO Denny DeNarvaez, who abruptly resigned from her post last week with little explanation, was replaced by Bart Hove, a 12-year president of Bristol Regional Medical Center.

After the approval of the health system’s board of directors, Hove will take up the interim CEO position Tuesday, the statement said.

“We are grateful Bart has agreed to assist us during this important time in Wellmont’s history and know his wisdom and experience will benefit our organization considerably as we move forward,” Board of Directors Chairman Roger Leonard said in the release.

After DeNarvaez’s resignation, a Wellmont spokesman said the board would seek an interim CEO, but would not begin a search for a permanent executive to take the system’s helm.